That man, the Captain of the 'Petite Jeanne,' is well known.

There are plenty of people in France who want to get quietly rid of some family encumbrance--a man in the way, you understand, a son too many, a husband too much, a stepson who will inherit--the world is full of superfluities.

Well, the Captain of the 'Petite Jeanne' will take them a voyage for their health to the Iceland fisheries.

They are so far and so remote--the Iceland fisheries.

The climate is bad and accidents happen.
And if the 'Petite Jeanne' returns short-handed, as she often does, the other boats do the same.